The Ruby Kiss by Helen Scott Taylor

In a world where magic exists, Ruby is a self-reliant individual with an interesting affliction. Though her father left when she was young, and no amount of searching has led either her or her mother to him, she has grown to be a strong and independent woman. Finally out of the clutches of her overly bossy mother, Ruby has absolutely no intention of belonging to anyone else ever again. Not to mention that her affliction keeps her from getting to close to anyone anyway.

When a mysterious nightstalker, called Nightshade, lands at her home, Ruby finds that the world is indeed full of mysteries that she must solve. She still needs to find her father and find a way to cure her curious affliction. As some of the questions of who she really is become answered, Ruby finds herself the center of attention in a world she's never been involved in. Everyone wants to mate her and supposedly she's to become some sort of queen. Does she really want to give up any of her independence though? Can she come to terms with not only her past but who she is?

I loved this book! The characters are wildly entertaining and the world-building engrossing and entertaining. I found myself invested in their world and lives. The writing is wonderful and at times, poetic and beautiful. A sparkling gem to add to any shelf!

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Farsighted by Emlyn Chand *Tour

ABOUT THE BOOK
Alex's life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind. Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl from India moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival--an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to "see" the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future.

MY THOUGHTS
Alex is your average sixteen year old. He loves going to school, wants to make new friends, and doesn't want to appear as a loser. Alex has the disadvantage though of being blind. He doesn't let his blindness get in the way of living though. He does what everyone else does; he just needs the a little extra help sometimes.


His mom owns a flower shop and his dad is currently employed, so things at home aren't so great. His parents try to stay optimistic though and want Alex to achieve all he can. But lately, Alex is having some problems at school. He got into a fight and had a crazy mental breakdown at lunch. The new psychic shop that just opened next door to his mom's flower shop seems a bit crazy, but might be just what Alex needs.

Madam Teak believes that Alex is gifted and can see into the future. The visions he is seeing of a boy called Dax that kills Alex's friend Simmi might come true and it may not. But if she can help Alex learn how to use his powers, then maybe he can prevent Simmi's unsettling future from occurring.

A unique concept keeps the reader thoroughly entertained. Alex is a complex character who I really began to like the more his personality shown through. The supporting cast blend perfectly with Alex and his journey, keeping this reader entertained and begging for more. If you're looking for a great young adult read - try Farsighted!

BUY THE BOOK!
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NEXT TOUR STOP: Tomorrow at Rather Barefoot Than Bookless

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Rafflecopter Giveaway Hop!

Everyone is invited to join in on our exciting Rafflecopter Giveaway Hop each week. MindingSpot and Tracers Coupon Affair have teamed up to bring you a weekly hop to link up your rafflecopter giveaways. So if you have a giveaway and you are using Rafflecopter for it - link up your giveaway below!  Feel free to add our button to your site to help spread the word so others can join in!

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The Cross Dresser's Wife by Dee A Levy & B Sheffield Hunt

I've never put too much thought into cross-dressers. I know they exist, but if I know anyone who is one, they have kept it a secret. A cross-dresser is a male who dresses in women's clothing. I don't believe it is anything that you would just randomly discuss with your bestie.

In the Cross Dresser's Wife, we are taken in to the lives of several women, women who are married to cross dressers. Did they have a clue what they were getting into when they got married? Unfortunately not. They speak candidly about the shock of learning their husband's secret. They research cross dressers on the internet, snoop through their husbands things, anything to give them a clue of what is going on with their husbands. One wife deals with the issue of her husband coming to bed with her clothing on every night.

How do you deal with it? Denial? Probably a good place to start, but eventually it's a situation you have to take an in-depth look into. This book is an in-depth look into the secret lives of cross dressers, but also a support book for the wives - they are not alone. There are others out there. Compassionate, heartbreaking and revealing, The Cross Dresser's Wife is a riveting and eye-opening read.

Ultimately, in 2006 Levy created the oasis she could not find: a nonprofit organization, Cross Dressers Wives, and its website, www.crossdresserswives.com. The site, she reports, now receives over two million hits a year. “No one knows how many of us are really out there.”

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Book Lover's Holiday Hop

Welcome to the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Kid Lit Frenzy!! This hop will run from 12:01AM December 2nd until Midnight December 6th.  Every blog on the hop will be having a giveaway book related!

The Defector by Mark Chisnell - EBOOK

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver - ARC

Both books will go to one winner!

USA Only.  All  you have to do is fill out the google form below.  Comments are appreciated, but they won't grant you an entry.  Then after you enter, visit the linky list at the bottom of this post and hop to the next awesome blog!!

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Decorative Ceiling Tile Product Review

Have you ever walked into a room and stopped because you were in awe with the ceiling? It doesn't happen often to me, but occassionally. Most people seem to have plain white or painted ceilings. However, if you're looking for that extra something special to help bring some charm to a room, check out Decorative Ceiling Tile.

They have the 'plain white' ceiling tile, but with a design that is easy on the eye and adds an extra splash of decor to your room. I'm in love with the tin ceiling tile.

 It's so eye-catching and really makes the room pop. You can use just one as wall decor! Great quality merchandise and reasonable prices, Decorative Ceiling Tile is the place to go when you're ready to spice up an existing room or are getting read to do some remodeling.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Winner: Story Harbour

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the Story Harbour giveaway and to the sponsor! Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected. Prize shipped direct from sponsor.

Valerie Taylor Mabrey - CONFIRMED

Congratulations!

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Baby's Little Bible - Kregel Blog Tour

This is one of the cutest little bibles I have ever seen. You can purchase it in blue or pink - what a wonderful gift!

The illustrations by Kristina Stephenson are brilliant! Vibrantly colored and beautifully illustrated to go along with each page. There are Old Testament and New Testament stories retold by Sarah Toulmin. They are in basic words, easy to understand for young children. Whether you're reading about "the big fish", "the hole in the roof" or "a special coat", there is something to share with your child about God in this bible.

It's beautifully bound and also has a To/From page to make it a special gift. Simply enchanting!

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The Lucado Inspirational Reader by Max Lucado

This is a collection of Max Lucado's best illustrations, stories and one-liners. You can spend hours with the reader or you can read a few pages daily or just whenever you have a moment or need a dose of hope and encouragement.


Easy to read in a beautifully bound book, there are stories, comfort, hope and inspiration within the pages. There is also a To/From page which makes this book perfect for gift-giving. Family, hope, miracles and God, The Lucado Inspirational Reader is perfect for everyday life. My favorites are the one liners - so easy to remember. "Our problem is not so much that God doesn't give us what we hope for as it is that we don't know the right thing for which to hope." It makes you think and realize what is important. A great addition to your Lucado library or alone. Must-read book!

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Love and Shame and Love by Peter Orner

ABOUT THE BOOK

Alexander Popper can't stop remembering. Four years old when his father tossed him into Lake Michigan, he was told sink or swim, kid. In his mind, he's still bobbing in that frigid water. The rest of this novel's vivid cast of characters also struggle to remain afloat: popper's mother, stymied by an unhappy marriage, seeks solace in the relentless energy of Chicago; his brother, Leo, shadow boss of the family, retreats into books; paternal grandparents, Seymour and Bernice, once highfliers, now mourn for long-lost days; his father, a lawyer and would-be politician obsessed with his own success, fails to see that the family is falling apart; and his college girlfriend, the fiercely independent Kat, wrestles with hard choices.

MY THOUGHTS

Orner has a unique way of writing that I've really enjoyed. He has a talent for giving you tons of descriptive detail while at the same time giving you as little detail as possible. The perfect words are used to paint a picture in your head as you're reading. I also really liked that instead of being broken into chapters, it's broken into memories. This way, when an interruption arrives, you can easily finish the section you're reading before stopping.

The characters are intriguing and the writing was seamless. The only thing is that this novel was very easy to put down. There was nothing to keep me captivated enough to keep turning the pages. It’s a great book to take along where you can easily put it down but not when you sit down expecting to read a few hours. However, if you can stick with it, it's a very pleasurable read.

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Winner: Tropical Traditions Coconut

Thanks so much to Tropical Traditions for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway! Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected. Prize shipped direct from sponsor.

Theresa Shafer - CONFIRMED

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When the Shadows Began to Dance by Yamaya Cruz

ABOUT THE BOOK
Nelly Reyes, a young girl struggling with schizophrenia, feels like she is being haunted by the shadows, the buried souls of the past.  The shadows are all-consuming and have destroyed everyone she has ever loved.  After witnessing the deaths of her loved ones, she is convinced that she will never survive; until she is guided by the spirits of her past and begins to understand 'The secret of their survival.' Then, and only then, is she able to tap into a source that is powerful and all-encompassing.  A power that enables her to overcome the darkness that exists within. 


MY THOUGHTS
What a powerful and engrossing tale! Once you pick this book up, you won't be able to put it back down. The haunting story of Nelly and her ancestry will keep you glued to page after page. This is not a simple, light entertaining story. This is emotionally and mentally deep and will make you struggle to keep up with Nelly's mental stability as well as questioning your own.



This is a must-read for anyone who's interested in the fractured mind and how it works. Not only that, the way that Cruz writes makes you wonder who's really right. Is there actually anything wrong with Nelly's mind or is she truly haunted? Perhaps the visions she sees are real. After all, sometimes a nightmare is more than a nightmare. Read this book for yourself and watch Nelly conquer herself and her fears, whether they be real or not.



www.alternativevibrations.com

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Kid Concoctions Magic Bubble Art Kit Review

This is so very cool! The kids and I had hours of fun playing with this! This Magic Bubble Art Kit  contains everything you need to experiment with bubble art and have a messy good time.

Start by taking one of the provided cups and put in water, coloring and soap. Stir and then blow bubbles. You can come up with lots of different designs by layering bubble colors or putting different colors next to each other. Once you have a nice pile of bubbles going, simply place paper on top. The designs you'll come up with are amazing! For me, this was similar to coloring Easter eggs. I just had a blast playing with it and seeing all the different patterns I could create.

In this kit you'll get 90 stickers and paper shapes, 3 bottles of color (primary colors), soap (all glittery!), assorted papers, mixing cups, pipe cleaners, craft sticks, straws and a stir stick. There are included instructions that make this nearly foolproof.

Warning: This is messy messy messy! Make sure to cover your place space with a drop cloth or trash bag so you don't have as much clean up.

This would be a great holiday gift!!

Disclosure: I recieved the Kid Concoctions Magic Bubble Art Kit from Growing Tree Toys to faciliate this review.  All thoughts and opinions are expressly my own.

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Avon Christmas Explosion Giveaway!

Welcome to the Avon Christmas Explosion Giveaway! A great group of bloggers have each donated Avon Products for you to win! There will be one winner for each product, so multiple winners = more chances to win!

Here is a list of prizes up for grabs:

• Pretty Polished Mini Nail Set 
• Dazzle and Shine Gloss Set 
• AVON Wonder Moon Orchid Mini Gift Set 
• Make Over Your Manicure Gift Set 
• Glossful Greetings Gift Tags 
• 3 Breast Cancer Crusade Tennis Bracelets (3 different winners) 
• Ballerina Ornament 
• Foot Works Mocha Supreme Warming Foot Scrub, Energizing Foot Soak, Nourishing Foot Butter Set 
• Rose Necklace Gift Set  
• 8 Eye Shade Palette in Natural Tones 
• 2 AVON Holiday Faves 14-Piece Beauty Bundles (2 different winners) 
• Holiday Beaded Bracelet  
• 2 Chic Frost Necklace and Earring Gift Set (2 different winners) 
• Peppermint Vanilla Moisturizing Hand Wash, Ornament Bubble Bath - Sweet Sugar Cookie, Holiday Bubble Bath - Silver Sparkle 
• Glitter Gold Mistletoe

  All products were purchased through Carolyn's Avon Shop

This giveaway will be open Dec. 3-14

Open to USA residents only

• Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.  
• The Rafflecopter is the same on all participating blogs - you only have to enter on one blog.  
• Duplicate entries will be removed.  
• Please leave your Facebook / Twitter / GFC name you are following with in the extra info section. 
• If we cannot verify your entry, it will be deleted before a winner is drawn.

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER WIDGET

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Shabby Apple Cecily Skirt Giveaway!

It's fun to dress up all year round, but I think the holiday time is when the majority of women really put their glitz on! I know I really like to dress up for the holidays and Shabby Apple, an online boutique, offers a wide variety of women's dresses and accessories.

Not only do they carry beautiful dresses, but they also have some really exciting wear for kids! Check out this adorable dress.

For vintage, boutique, jewerly, and more, check out Shabby Apple! I am in love with so many items there! You're sure to find something you'll fall in love with too!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will win this beautiful Cecily Skirt!!

FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER WIDGET TO ENTER!

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The Doll Violinist by Mayra Calvani Review + Giveaway

BOOK SYNOPSIS
Five days before Christmas, Emma is captivated by a doll in a shop window. Each day, she sneaks out of the orphanage to check if it’s still there, but the shop owner, Madame Dubois, sends her away. Will the magic of Christmas bring Emma, Madame Dubois, and the doll violinist together?


MY THOUGHTS
In this sweet story, a little orphan girl named Emma watches the storefront window as doll after doll is bought. Even though the shopkeeper keeps chasing her away, she keeps returning in the hopes that her favorite doll won't be bought. It's a special doll that holds a violin and reminds Emma of the mother she lost.


It's funny how a simple children's story can really touch your heart. This is a touching Christmas tale that will appeal to both young and old. It didn't take me long to read it, but it stuck with me long after I finished. The story of both Emma and the shopkeeper brings out what the holiday spirit is really about.

The artwork by Amy Moreno is just beautiful. It's detailed, touching and descriptive. Amy's artistry helps you capture the full depth of the simple tale.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer’s Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. Her love for the violin has inspired her to pen three “violin” children’s picture books: The Magic Violin, Frederico the Mouse Violinist, and now the latest, The Doll Violinist.

Visit her website at http://www.mayrassecretbookcase.com/ and get the first two lessons of her popular Walking on a Rainbow Picture Book Workshop free!

BUY THE BOOK

You can purchase The Doll Violinist here!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will win a print copy of The Doll Violinist!

FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM TO ENTER

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Winners: Because of You, Healthy Chocolate Mayesa

Congratulations to these winners! They have 48 hours to respond to winning email or a new winner will be selected.

Because of You - Martha Lawson - CONFIRMED

Healthy Chocolate Mayesa - Brittney House - CONFIRMED

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Winner: UPrinting Stickers

Thanks to all who entered! Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected. Prize shipped direct from sponsor.

David - CONFIRMED

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She Can Run by Melinda Leigh

ABOUT THE BOOK
Elizabeth was a young widow with two small children when she met Congressman Richard Baker. Handsome and wealthy, with a sparkling public image, Richard seemed like the perfect man to provide the security that Beth and her kids were craving. But when she uncovers a dangerous secret about her new husband, Beth realizes he will go to any lengths—even murder—to keep it. After barely escaping with her life, she and her children flee. They eventually make their way to a secluded estate in the Pennsylvania countryside, where Beth dares to hope she has found a safe place at last…

Forced into retirement by an unexpected injury, Philadelphia homicide detective Jack O’Malley is mourning the loss of his career when his uncle abruptly dies, leaving Jack to dispose of his crumbling country house. Unbeknownst to him, his uncle engaged a caretaker just before his death, a mysterious woman with two children and a beautiful face that haunts his dreams. Determined to know her, Jack begins an investigation into Beth’s past. When he uncovers the shocking truth, and a local woman is viciously murdered, Jack puts his own life on the line to keep Beth and her children safe.

MY THOUGHTS

This is a gripping romance/thriller.  From the very first page, you're sucked into the story and left craving more.  I couldn't put it down.  The characters are alive and realistic.  What impressed me most is the way that the writing style really set the mood for each scene.  Instead of processing the information yourself and figuring out how you should feel, you're just taken along for the ride.  The romance is sweet and building instead of over-the-top and annoying.  The thrill will keep you in suspense.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
More than a decade ago, Melinda Leigh left a career in banking to raise her children and never looked back. She started writing when her youngest child entered first grade as a way to preserve her sanity. Her paranormal romance and romantic suspense fiction has won writing awards across the country, including The Gateway to the Best Contest, The Marlene Award, Where the Magic Begins, Put Your Heart in a Book, and The Golden Gateway 1st Round Grand Prize.

Melinda is also an avid martial artist. She holds a 2nd degree belt in Kenpo Karate, studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and teaches women’s self-defense. She lives in a messy house in the suburbs with her husband, two teenagers, a couple of dogs and one neurotic cat with an inexplicable fear of ceiling fans. With such a pleasant life, she has no explanation for the sometimes dark and disturbing nature of her imagination.

Melinda is a member of Liberty States Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Kiss of Death, and International Thriller Writers. You can also find her at Attacking the Page: A Blog on Martial Arts & Writing Action.

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Meet Me on the Paisley Roof Blog Tour : Guest Post with author Murray Tillman

Close Family or Close to Being Family? A Christmas Answer

In my growing up years, Christmas dinner at our house in Columbus, Georgia, was a swap-off arrangement between my stepmother and Aunt Ellinor, who lived in Americus. My aunt prepared the Thanksgiving meal for our family and my stepmother prepared the Christmas dinner. The cast of characters were, for several years, the same: my stepmother, father, brother, Aunt Ellinor, Hazel, Miss Lou Belle, and me. Strictly speaking, Hazel and Miss Lou Belle were not kin but close friends.

Hazel lived with Aunt Ellinor and was her companion, cook, and housekeeper. Miss Lou Belle was a seamstress who sewed hats at my aunt's millinery shop. Hazel was a great friend to me when I visited my aunt, straight talking and direct, insistent that I call her "Hazel" though she was many times my age, plus a really determined Canasta player. Miss Lou Belle was a sweet lady with a lovely voice and a great friend to my aunt. I always looked forward to seeing them. What goes better than good companionship, good food, and good conversation at Christmas time?

What about all of the above in mid-June? Somehow when I read a scene from Carson McCullers', The Member of the Wedding, I pick up those Christmas-time feelings. Berenice the cook, Frankie the twelve-year-old girl, and John Henry, Frankie's six-year-old cousin, live through hot June days, playing cards in the kitchen, while Frankie expounds on her fears, hopes, and dreams. Berenice, a black woman, provides the two white children with good food, straight talk, understanding, and love.

What about mid-June in Meet Me on the Paisley Roof? Three teenage boys, Trussell, Ronnie, and Cassidy, for years have launched their nocturnal adventures as an antidote to the bleak daytime reality of their family lives. When the group is faced with a possible breakup and end of their time together, Ronnie and Cassidy opt to play one big final joke, which they dub a "miracle," on Trussell. When the ruse succeeds, Trussell complains to his girlfriend Ellen about the fake "miracle." She sees something beside a joke, a farewell gift. "Their gift to you, Trussell, was love. You laughed with them. Your gift to them was love. There's the miracle."

Southern writers in particular often address the problem of dysfunctional family life. It is as though they show us what healthy family relationships are not rather than what they are. Yet, in a strange twist, their characters find others to bond with, not through kinship, but through understanding and love. A second family unit develops, either as a replacement of or an important addition to the primary family. Arguably, one may assert that this points to a spiritual realization that we are all family. Perhaps the Christmas season can heighten our awareness of and thoughts about this amazing possibility.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Murray Tillman is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia and formerly Chair of the Department of Instructional Technology in the College of Education. He has authored several texts that assist teachers in using instructional design tools and has developed training manuals and courses for businesses and human service agents. Murray is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and the University of Georgia. Meet Me on the Paisley Roof is his debut novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK

 
Trussell Jones has a problem. He is crazy in love with a beautiful girl named Ellen. The problem? He has no car. His stepmother, who believes that she is spiritually connected to Queen Victoria, won't let him drive. Furthermore, she is afraid Trussell is trying to kill her. Not to be overlooked is the fact that Trussell is being pursued by a gang of armed redneck motorcycle hoods, while his neighbors are preoccupied with changing visions of St. Francis. Just another heartwarming tale of a boy in love with a girl? Hardly.

This delightfully quixotic coming-of-age story, set in Columbus, Georgia in the 1950s, truly has something to shock and beguile even the most jaded reader. Its irreverent protagonist will take you on a road trip of hits, near misses, twists, and sudden turns that ll set you on your ear. You ll be unable to put the book down, until you reach its charming yet totally unpredictable conclusion.

NEXT BLOG STOP: December 5th @ The Book Connection

Meet Me on the Paisley Roof web site

Meet Me on the Paisley Roof Facebook

Murray Tillman Facebook

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook

Meet Me on the Paisley Roof blog tour site

BUY THE BOOK!

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Winner: Carmex Skincare Package

Thank you to everyone who entered and to Carmex for sponsoring this giveaway! Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected.  Prize sent direct from sponsor.

Julie Witt - CONFIRMED

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Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout

After Katy's father passed away, she and her mom tried to make a go of it, but it wasn't the same without him. So, they packed everything up and moved to a small town and started over. Katy's mom is a workaholic, so Katy hardly ever sees her. She isn't shy, but she spends a lot of her time with her blog, reading and gardening.


When she meets the new neighbors, there are a set of twins her age, Daimon and Dee. She and Dee hit it off right away and are fast friends. Daimon, on the other hand, is a total jerk. He's very rude and insulting, even if he is very good looking. He tries to be nicer for his sister's sake, but keeps reminding her that they don't make friends with people like Katy.

Hurt, Katy ignores him and continues to be friends with Dee. When Katy is attacked one evening at the library, she isn't sure what to think. Her accoster keeps asking her where they are, and she had no idea what he is talking about. The more she answers his questions, the more brutal he gets with her. Sure she is dying; she is stunned when someone helps her.

The more time Katy spends with Dee and Daimon, the more convinced she is that they are not normal. As Daimon and Katy get closer, the danger heats up around all three of them. Will Katy learn the secrets surrounding her new friends? Will she be able to stay safe before the next attack takes her life?

Obsidian, the first in a new thrilling young adult series, is rock solid! With just the right amount of mystery, drama, romance and action, you'll be up late, unable to put this fantastic book down. The world building is modern and realistic, the characters well-rounded and yet just the right element of relate-ability and the plot compelling and unique. I can't wait for the next one! Highly recommend to young adult or science fiction readers!

*Don't forget to enter the contest to win an ebook of Obsidian! See right side bar for the link.

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Amazing Adventures of a Nobody by Leon Logothetis

When Leon hits his mid-life crisis, he decides the best way to handle things is to meet the world head on. He leaves behind his family, job and life in England to come to the United States. This book chronicles his adventure across the US from New York to the famed Hollywood sign. Giving himself the budget of five dollars a day, he has to get across the country by depending on the generosity of complete strangers. What ensues is not only a life-changing experience, but one that opens his eyes to the world.

Of course, the struggles that Leon faces and the lessons he learns are important, but for me the story lay in the strangers he met along the way. People want to be generous and thoughtful and just need the opportunity. It was amazing for me to watch Leon's reaction to people when he gave them the chance to be everything they want to be. Not everyone he meets along the way is a model of humanity, but that's how life works and it keeps things interesting. The characters you'll meet in the book are the same people we see every day, except that we get a chance to see their inner being.

Amazing Adventures of a Nobody was also a TV series for three seasons on National Geographic. Leon is an experienced television host as well as producer. The back of the book contains a great discussion guide. Whether you're a book group or just want to delve into what you've read, this is a great tool. I strongly suggest you come take an adventure with Leon and get to know America as well as yourself.

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Winner: Uglee Pen

Thank you to everyone who entered to win this great pen! Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected.  Prize shipped direct from sponsor.

Valerie Mabrey - CONFIRMED

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Jennifer Armentrout Interview‏ and a Giveaway of Obsidian!

Hi Jennifer! Thanks so much for stopping by!

1. Can you tell us a little bit about your newest book?


Obsidian was kind of a risk to write. For starters, aliens aren't very popular in YA. I mean, when I started writing it, I kept picturing giant insects eating human brains or little green men, so it was tough writing about something that most people don't associate with fun and romance. And well, Daemon was also a very different character for me to write. When you read it, you'll see what I mean. Obsidian is very sci fi light.

2. What is the biggest difference between writing adult and young adult books?

Besides being able to label body parts? Hehe. There isn't really a difference. At least not to me. The big difference is that I write adult in third person and YA in first person, but it's really the same. YA isn't as limited as it was when I was growing up.

3. What is your greatest challenge when writing a novel?

Wanting to stop and work on shiny new idea.

4. Can you share with us a little bit about your average day?

It varies from day to day. I work part time in a University police department, and on those days, I usually write in the late afternoon and evening. On days that I'm off I'm pretty much writing for about 12-15 hours.

5. Any advice for those out there struggling to get published?

Publishing is hard and seriously not for the faint of heart. Even after you score the agent and then the editor, there are still so many bumps in the road. My best advice is if you really want to be a published author, not to give up, study the craft, and to keep writing. Don't let rejections get you down. Think of them as practice runs for negative reviews. =)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer lives in West Virginia. All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true. Well, mostly. When she’s not hard at work wriLng, she spends her Lme, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write. She shares her home with her husband, his K‐9 partner named Diesel, her hyper Jack Russell Loki, and her pet turtle called Michelangelo. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent her Lme writing short stories. Therefore explains her dismal grades in math. She writes Adult and Young Adult Urban Fantasy and Romance. Half‐Blood, the first book in a planned series, is her debut novel and is available October 2011 .

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring… until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

 

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like a Vegas casino to the bad guys. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don't kill him first, that is.

And then things get really bad...

GIVEAWAY

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